Shark attacks on humans are rare – and when they happen attack If so, it is usually a matter of confusion. A recently published study confirms the notion that sharks mistakenly mistake swimmers or surfers for their usual food, such as seals, because of their movements.
The investigation focused on the great white shark. This species, which is particularly afraid of humans, can see olfactory and sound waves very far, but has poor eyesight.
surfers especially endangered
According to the study, White shark Only weakly distinguish colors and shapes. Therefore his eyesight is six times worse than that of humans. it means that White shark Can hardly differentiate between humans and pinnipeds.
The paddling and rowing movements of surfers and swimmers led them to conclude that they were about seals making similar movements with them. wing Doing. According to the researchers’ findings, the risk of mis-surfers being mistaken for animals preyed upon by great white sharks is particularly high.
There are only 60 attacks a year
For the study, video recordings of marine mammals were compared to humans swimming and surfing from the shark’s point of view—that is, from below. From their point of view, the great white shark is “unable to clearly distinguish between humans and pinnipeds,” the authors write.
This is the first study to look at cases of misidentification “from the perspective of the great white shark,” the lead author said. Laura Ryan, biologist at Macquarie University in Australia Sydney.
Last year, however, fewer than 60 shark attacks on humans were counted worldwide. According to the study, these are fueling attack However, there is a “disproportionate” level of fear, as little is known about the behavior of sharks.
